'Come up with €200 or it's jail', teenage petrol thief is warned

A teenager who drove off from the same petrol station four times within a month without paying for fuel may avoid a prison sentence if he comes up with a charitable donation.

Brandon Mansfield (19) pleaded guilty at a previous sitting of Balbriggan District Court to stealing a total of €150 worth of petrol from Applegreen Service Station on the M1 southbound at Ballystane in Lusk.

The offences happened twice last October 9, and once on both October 14 and 15.

Mansfield was due to bring €200 as a charitable donation to avoid prison, but the court heard he needs more time to come up with the money.

Defence barrister Patrick Jackson requested a further adjournment for the donation to be paid.

"He has had ample opportunity," said Judge Dempsey, but agreed to adjourn the case for one week.

The defendant, of Forgehill, Stamullen, Co Meath, has no previous convictions, the court heard.

He lives with his father, brother and sister. His mother died four years ago. At a previous sitting, defence barrister Annette Kealy said he has had "a hard last few years".

custodial

A positive probation report deemed the defendant suitable to carry out 240 hours community service work in lieu of two months in prison.

However, Judge Dempsey said that if the charitable donation is not paid by next week, he will impose a two-month custodial sentence instead of the community service.